LETTERS: Presidents Day is time to honor office

The federal holiday we know as Presidents Day is officially "George Washington's Birthday."

The holiday was first enacted in 1879 to honor our nation's first president and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Originally celebrated on Washington's birthday, Feb. 22, it was moved to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (Jan. 1, 1971), which ironically prevents the federal holiday from ever falling on Washington's actual birthday.

Although our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, never had a federal holiday, the third Monday in February falls between Lincoln's birthday (Feb. 12) and Washington's birthday (Feb. 22) making it an appropriate day to honor both of these great men. Many states that officially observed Lincoln's birthday created a joint holiday for Lincoln and Washington, often calling it Presidents Day.

Most would view Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday) not only as a holiday to honor two of the most influential leaders in our nation's history, Washington and Lincoln, but as a day to honor and reflect upon the office of the presidency of the United States. As a Republican, I do not share the views of President Barack Obama, but I think it is important that as Americans we show respect for the office and for what it represents ? the idea that the power is held by the people and that we alone choose our elected representatives. Presidents Day is a reminder to all Americans that we must engage in the political process, demonstrate free speech, and exercise our right to vote in both primary and general elections. We must not take for granted the freedoms and liberties that our forefathers fought so hard to preserve, and that so many brave men and women risk their lives to protect today.

Let us respect the office of the presidency and let us demonstrate our respect by showing up on Election Day to vote. And whether a Republican, Democrat or Independent, it doesn't hurt to research the issues and candidates ahead of time.

Zachary T. Haines, Symmes Township

Money from the stimulus could build the bridge

I am just fed up with the talk of the much-needed Brent Spence Bridge replacement ("Rep. Massie: No money for bridge," Feb. 7).

No money? What is this rhetoric? I have a hard time believing the U.S. government does not have any money when it is literally making money out of thin air by the $75 billion (was $85 billion) with the so-called stimulus, aka, QE3 every month. Yes, every month. That is almost $1 trillion a year.

This is the bond-buying fraud that is infiltrating our economy. This so-called stimulus is only assisting the banks and Wall Street.

The U.S. infrastructure is crumbling, and many Americans are struggling.

Put a measly $3 billion from this stimulus and build the bridge. This will impact Americans more by creating jobs and assisting the economy more than buying bonds will ever do - by putting the money directly into the economy.

Those in Washington (and the Federal Reserve) need to wake up and get their priorities straight. We all know Interstate 75/71 is by far one of the main arteries of transportation in this country. It would be a shame if the country abandoned it. This is too important to just say "we don't have the money."

If there are tolls, I will certainly be abandoning it - even if my trip takes longer.

It was a different era, but FDR did it right. Now is the time for someone else to do it right - now!

The culprits of the problem are not ignorance of what is written in fine print of a policy, but rather loopholes successfully generated by insurance companies to deny coverage within a policy. A deception by design.

There is severe shortage of pediatric dentists in the country. I am among the few, if not the only pediatric dentist in Hamilton County outside Children's Hospital. Access to pediatric dentists is very difficult, and young children are not getting the specialty care they deserve in our community because of lack of specialty dentists, not what may or may not be written in a policy.

Dr. Paul Sohi, Mount Auburn ■

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LETTERS: Presidents Day is time to honor office

The federal holiday we know as Presidents Day is officially 'George Washington's Birthday.'